A bread winner in Skowhegan

What event combines a bread fair, baking classes and discussions on the science of sourdough and mysteries of gluten? It must be the Maine Grain Alliance Kneading Conference in Skowhegan. Now in its seventh year, the celebration of grain in Maine has been raising awareness of the growing DIY baking movement and the burgeoning wheat industry in the state. The popularity of farm-to-hearth baking is celebrated Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The two-day conference tackles hot food culture topics such as how to build your own brick oven and bake over a wood fire. On Saturday, the artisan bread fair will feature dozens of bakers and specialty food companies sampling their wares from 9 to 3 p.m. at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. The fair is free and the conference is $300, which includes meals. For details, visit www.kneadingconference.com.

Butcher store bounty

Rosemont Market in Portland is adding freshly harvested meat to its offerings with the new addition of Rosemont Custom Cuts. This “classic neighborhood butcher shop” will feature the meat of cows, poultry, sheep, goats and rabbits raised in humane and safe environments on small-scale Maine and New Hampshire farms.

The natural, “conscientiously raised” animal meats are from pastured animals and “never doctored with antibiotics or other funny stuff.”

Sausages, charcuterie, salumi and other products should crackle with freshness. Look for Rosemont Custom Cuts to open later this summer at 5 Commercial St., Portland.

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Humble Comfort comes to Brewer

New owners, a new name and a fresh approach are coming to what used to be Ron’s Intown Cafe, located at 518 South Main St. in Brewer. Humble Comfort Food & Spirits is set to open in that location during the first week of August. Owners Meghan and Chris Black are in the midst of major renovations and plan to offer simple American comfort food with a fresh, local twist, as well as a bar offering beer and cocktails. The Blacks are restaurant industry veterans and have long wanted to open their own place.